Method of playing a baccarat-type card game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a baccarat-type card game that provides players with the opportunity to play a simpler version of baccarat with the winning hand having a hand value closest to nine based on the traditional baccarat scoring system, but without all of the complex baccarat rules for determining if and when a third card is to be dealt. The baccarat-type card game of the present invention is both easier to understand, capable of being played by more players than standard baccarat, and provides each player with the opportunity to decide when to receive an additional card.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to card games and methods therefor and, more particularly, to a method of playing a baccarat-type card game that provides players with the opportunity to play a simpler version of baccarat that is easier to understand with a betting structure similar to blackjack and capable of being played by more players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baccarat is a popular card game played by many players at many casinos. Although the game of baccarat usually attracts high rollers, many gamblers enjoy playing the game. The object of baccarat is to receive a hand value closest to 9. An Ace has a point value of 1, and cards 2 through 9 have point values equal to their face values (e.g. 5 of Hearts has a point value of 5). 10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings have a point value of zero. Thus, if the first two cards dealt are a Queen and a 4, the total point value of the hand is 4. When the combination of cards creates a point total of 10 or more, the first digit is ignored. For example, a 3 and a 9 have a point value of 2 (not 12). Therefore, the highest point total that it is possible to achieve is a 9. The hand value closest to 9, between the dealer's hand and the player's hand, is the winning hand.

Under the standard rules of baccarat, two cards are first dealt to a player's hand and two cards are first dealt to a dealer's (or banker's or house hand). A two-card point total of 9 is called a “natural” and, under standard baccarat rules, this hand cannot lose. A two-card point total of 8 is also called a “natural” and this is generally considered to be the second-best hand. In the event of a tie between the player's hand and the dealer's hand, there is a push where neither the dealer's hand nor the player's hand wins. It is possible, however, in traditional baccarat for the player to wager that a tie would occur, in which case the player is often paid a multiple of his or her wager (usually the payer is paid at a rate of 8 to 1). Generally, if the player or dealer receive a two-card point total of 7, no further cards are received. No more than a total of 3 cards can be received, including the original two cards dealt.

Under standard baccarat rules, when two-card point totals are 6 or less, a very complex set of rules govern when the banker or player must draw an additional card. One of the dealers, known as the caller, determines the need for additional cards, which are dealt automatically and without direction or consent from the player. This method of play can often be confusing, especially when one is not completely familiar with all of the standard baccarat rules governing card disbursement. The rules are often hard to pick up, causing many players to avoid the game of baccarat altogether.

Under standard baccarat rules, it is also possible for the player to wager that the banker's hand (and not the player's hand) will win, although a successful wager on the banker's hand results in a 5% commission on the wager, paid to the casino. Since it is difficult to collect this sum each time a successful wager on the banker's hand is made, an additional dealer keeps track of what the player owes, and all debts are paid to the dealer once 8 decks of cards (known as the shoe) have been dealt. This method can create the feeling that one must pay the casino to win, a notion which can create some ill feelings when playing the game of baccarat. The 5% commission is also an additional calculation that must be taken into account by a gambler when determining his or her winnings, which can also be annoying to many players. In the game of baccarat, the shoe is passed from player to player. When the player has the shoe, he or she must bet on the banker's hand, with the ensuing commission to be paid for a winning wager.

The game of baccarat can therefore create difficulties in determining the amount of winnings, and therefore the amount of money to wager. In addition, the complex set of rules can make the game of baccarat hard to follow.

The game of mini-baccarat was developed to introduce the game of baccarat to more gamblers. Several features of traditional baccarat, such as the passing of the shoe, were eliminated. Nevertheless, mini-baccarat follows the same rules of play as regular baccarat. For the most part, therefore, mini-baccarat retains the same shortcomings of regular baccarat.

As with virtually every game in a casino, the more players capable of playing the game, the more money a casino can make. Additionally, it is often the case that more players means more fun for the players, as a more social atmosphere is created by a larger group of people. However, both baccarat and mini-baccarat tables are only capable of seating six players.

A need therefore existed for providing a new, simpler method of playing a baccarat-type card game, without all of the complex rules regarding when a third card is received, with no 5% commission for successfully wagering on a banker's hand, with the possibility of playing with additional players, with greater control over the play of the game by the player, and with the ability to incorporate betting elements from the game of blackjack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a new method of playing a baccarat-type card game in which a player has the option to decide whether to receive a third card, and following the baccarat rules of determining hand values, the hand with a hand value closest to nine wins.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new method of playing a baccarat-type card game in which a player may hit, stand, split or double-down on a baccarat-type hand as a player may do in the game of blackjack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a baccarat-type card game is disclosed comprising, in combination, the steps of receiving at least one wager from at least one player, dealing at least one player a player hand comprising two cards face-up, dealing a dealer a dealer hand comprising one card face-up and one card face-down, dealing each at least one player at least one additional card face-up when the at least one player requests the at least one additional card, revealing the face-down card of the dealer, determining an initial hand value of the dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein the initial hand value of the dealer hand is equal to a total point value of the two cards of the dealer hand when the two cards have a point value total under 10 and when the two cards of the dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of the point total is ignored when determining the initial hand value of the dealer hand, dealing a third card to the dealer hand when the hand value of the two cards of the dealer hand being less than six, determining a final hand value of the dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein the final hand value of the dealer hand being identical to the initial hand value of the dealer hand when the dealer receiving only two cards, wherein when the dealer hand comprises three cards the final hand value of the dealer hand being equal to a total point value of the three cards of the dealer hand when the three cards have a point value total under 10 and when the three cards of the dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of the point total is ignored when determining the final hand value of the dealer hand, determining a hand value of each at least one player hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of the at least one player hand is equal to a point total of the cards of the at least one player hand when the cards have a point value total under 10 and when the cards of the at least one player hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of the point total is ignored when determining a hand value of the at least one player hand, comparing the hand value of the dealer hand with the hand value of each at least one player hand, wherein a hand value closest to 9 being a winning hand; unless at least one of the dealer hand and the at least one player hand comprising a jack and a queen and a king, wherein a player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit being a winning hand in comparison to a dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit, wherein a dealer hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit being a winning hand in comparison to a player hand not having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit, wherein a player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit being a winning hand in comparison to a dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king, wherein a dealer hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit being a winning hand in comparison to a player hand not having a jack and a queen and a king, collecting the at least one wager from each at least one player when the dealer hand being a winning hand in comparison to the player hand of the at least one player, and paying each at least one player an amount corresponding to a predetermined payoff structure when the player hand being a winning hand in comparison to the dealer hand.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a baccarat-type card game is disclosed comprising, in combination, the steps of receiving at least one wager from at least one player, dealing at least one player a player hand comprising two cards face-up, dealing a dealer a dealer hand comprising one card face-up and one card face-down, dealing each at least one player at least one additional card face-up when the at least one player requests the at least one additional card, revealing the face-down card of the dealer, determining an initial hand value of the dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein the initial hand value of the dealer hand is equal to a total point value of the two cards of the dealer hand when the two cards have a point value total under 10 and when the two cards of the dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of the point total is ignored when determining the initial hand value of the dealer hand, dealing a third card to the dealer hand when the hand value of the two cards of the dealer hand being less than six, determining a final hand value of the dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein the final hand value of the dealer hand being identical to the initial hand value of the dealer band when the dealer receiving only two cards, wherein when the dealer hand comprises three cards the final hand value of the dealer hand being equal to a total point value of the three cards of the dealer hand when the three cards have a point value total under 10 and when the three cards of the dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of the point total is ignored when determining the final hand value of the dealer hand, determining a hand value of each at least one player hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of the at least one player hand is equal to a point total of the cards of the at least one player hand when the cards have a point value total under 10 and when the cards of the at least one player hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of the point total is ignored when determining a hand value of the at least one player hand, comparing the hand value of the dealer hand with the hand value of each at least one player hand, wherein a hand value closest to 9 being a winning hand, collecting the at least one wager from each at least one player when the dealer hand being a winning hand in comparison to the player hand of the at least one player, and paying each at least one player an amount corresponding to a predetermined payoff structure when the player hand being a winning hand in comparison to the dealer hand.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a baccarat-type card game table is disclosed comprising, in combination, a table having a dealer hand area dimensioned to receive at least one playing card, a plurality of individual betting locations located proximate an outer perimeter of the table, a plurality of player hand areas dimensioned to receive at least one player card and located proximate the plurality of individual betting locations, and a display area proximate the dealer hand area, the display area dimensioned to illustrate a payout schedule.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the baccarat-type card game table of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses a method of playing a baccarat-type card game. At least one 52-card deck, and preferably a plurality of 52-card decks, is used in the baccarat-type card game of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the baccarat-type card game of the present invention is implemented at a gaming table by a casino or gaming establishment, although it should be clear that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the game is played on a video gaming machine, over the internet or conducted by an entity other than a casino.

The first step in the method of playing the baccarat-type card game of the present invention is receiving at least one wager from at least one player. Preferably, this wager is an ante-wager placed by the player and received by the casino prior to the dealing of any cards, although it should be clear that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which at least one wager is received or collected or made at some other point in the baccarat-type card game of the present invention.

After the wager has been placed by the player, the dealer then deals at least one player a player hand comprising two cards face-up. The dealer then deals a dealer hand of one card face-up and one card face-down. Based on the player's two cards and the one exposed dealer card, the player can then decide to “stand” as in blackjack, whereby a player stands pat and refuses any additional cards. Alternatively, the player may “hit” as in blackjack, whereby the player receives an additional card if the player so chooses. In the preferred embodiment, the player may also “double-down” as in blackjack, whereby a player has the option to double the initial wager in exchange for receiving one additional card. Preferably, a player may also “split” as in blackjack, whereby a player has the option to double the initial wager and separate two cards of the same rank (for example two 8's) into two hands: a first player hand and a second player hand. The same rules that would apply to a single player hand would then apply to each of the first player hand and the second player hand (including, preferably, the option to double-down and subsequently split again into a third or more player hands). While, in the preferred embodiment, the baccarat-type card game of the present invention provides players with the opportunity to double-down and split their player hand into a first player hand and a second player hand, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which there is no double-down or split options available to the player.

In the baccarat-type card game of the present invention, the standard baccarat scoring system is used, whereby the Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9, and 10's, Jacks, Queens and Kings have a point value of zero.

After the player has decided to either stand pat or receive an additional card, the dealer reveals the face-down card originally dealt to the dealer. After both cards of the dealer hand are exposed, the initial hand value of the dealer hand is calculated according to the standard baccarat value system. This is done by adding up the individual point values of both cards in the dealer hand based on the point system discussed above. When the total point value of the two cards of the dealer hand is less than ten, then the hand value is equal to the total point value. If, for example, the two cards dealt to the dealer are a King and a 6, the total point value of the dealer hand is 6. Since these numbers are less than ten, the hand value is equal to the total point value. If, however, the two cards dealt to the dealer have a total point value of at least 10, then the first digit of the total point value is ignored when determining the hand value. For example, if the two cards dealt to the dealer are a 7 and a 5, then even though the total point value would be 12, the hand value would be 2 since the first digit is dropped when establishing the hand value for a hand with a point value of at least 10.

If the hand value for the initial dealer hand is determined to be less than six, then the dealer deals one additional card to the dealer hand. The hand value of the dealer hand is then recalculated with the additional card to reach a final hand value for the dealer hand.

The hand value of each player hand is calculated according to the same formula used for calculating the hand value of the dealer hand. After a final hand value is established for the dealer hand and each player hand, the dealer hand is compared to each player hand with the winning hand being the hand having a hand value closest to nine.

In the preferred embodiment, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game further comprises an exception to the above described scoring system whereby a player having a Jack, Queen and King of more than one suit is considered to be a winning hand as compared to a dealer hand and is paid 1.5 times the player's at least one wager. In other words, instead of a Jack, Queen and King having a hand value of zero, which could do no better than push and would often lose against a dealer hand, a player holding a Jack, Queen and King would beat even a dealer hand having a hand value of 9, and be paid better than standard even money. Preferably, a hand of this type would be called a “Low Court,” although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which another designation is given for such a hand or no designation at all is given. In the preferred embodiment, a player having a Jack, Queen and King of the same suit would be paid three times the player's total wager amount. Preferably, a hand of this type would be called a “High Court,” although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which another designation is given for such a hand or no designation at all is given. While, in the preferred embodiment, a player having a Jack, Queen and King of more than one suit is paid 1.5 times a total wager amount and a player having a Jack, Queen and King of a same suit is paid 3 times a total wager amount, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a player is paid alternative amounts for having a Jack, Queen and King, or in which a player having a Jack, Queen and King pushes or loses against a dealer hand of a Jack, Queen and King, or in which there is no special treatment afforded to a player hand of a Jack, Queen and King.

If it is determined that a player hand is a winning hand then the dealer pays the player having that player hand an amount corresponding to a pre-determined payout schedule (for example, even money for a winning hand, 1.5 times the wager amount for a Jack, Queen and King of more than one suit, and 3 times the wager amount for a Jack, Queen and King of the same suit). If the dealer hand is determined to be the winning hand, then the dealer collects the wager amounts from each player having a losing hand in comparison to the dealer hand.

In one embodiment of the present invention, if a player has a hand value of 1 or 2 and a dealer hand has a hand value of less than the player hand (for example a dealer hand having a value of 0 (zero) when the player hand has a value of 1 or 2, or a dealer hand having a value of 1 when the player hand has a value of 2) this scenario would be declared a push, rather than a win for the player hand. In this way, the casino or house may maintain a statistical advantage over the player. In a similar attempt to convey a statistical advantage to the casino, in another embodiment of the present invention, if a player has a hand value of 1 or 2 then regardless of the hand value of the dealer hand, the player hand is considered to be a losing hand in comparison to the dealer hand and the at least one wager made by the player would be collected. While, in the above described embodiments, exceptions to the normal scoring system are applied to a player having a hand value of 1 or 2, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which no special status is applied to a player hand having a 1 or 2, or in which special status is applied to a player having other hand values.

It should be noted that while as few as one player could play the baccarat-type card game of the present invention, it should be clearly understood that as many as 9 or more players are capable of playing the baccarat-type card game of the present invention.

Although the descriptions above contain many details, these details should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the details should reflect the diligence of the inventor in fully developing a commercially successful embodiment of the invention. Examples of broader applications of this invention include, but are not limited to, other styles of playing indicia, other types of gaming instruments such as dice, applications of the embodiments to video gaming machines, video lottery terminals, commercial poker parlors, scratch off games, reel-type slot machines, internet gaming, bingo parlors and/or keno lounges, and casino blackjack-style tables using electronic displays of cards rather than actual playing cards.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a baccarat-type card game table, hereinafter referred to generally as table 10, is shown. The table 10 comprises a dealer hand area 12 dimensioned to receive at least one player card and preferably up to three playing cards. The table 10 further comprises a plurality of individual betting locations 14 proximate an outer perimeter of the table 10. The table 10 further comprises a plurality of player hand areas 16 dimensioned to receive at least one player card, and preferably up to three playing cards. The player hand areas 16 are preferably between the individual betting locations 14 and the dealer hand area 12, although it should be clear that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the player hand areas 16 are on the furthest outer perimeter of the table 10. Finally, a display area 18 proximate the dealer hand area 12 is used to illustrate a payout schedule. The individual betting locations 14 preferably contain numbers or logos to signify the location of the player's seat or to advertise the game or the casino.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A method for playing a baccarat-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of: receiving at least one wager from at least one player; dealing at least one player a player hand comprising two cards face-up; dealing a dealer a dealer hand comprising one card face-up and one card face-down; dealing each said at least one player at least one additional card face-up when said at least one player requests said at least one additional card; revealing said face-down card of said dealer; determining an initial hand value of said dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein said initial hand value of said dealer hand is equal to a total point value of said two cards of said dealer hand when said two cards have a point value total under 10 and when said two cards of said dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of said point total is ignored when determining said initial hand value of said dealer hand; dealing a third card to said dealer hand when said hand value of said two cards of said dealer hand being less than six; determining a final hand value of said dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein said final hand value of said dealer hand being identical to said initial hand value of said dealer hand when said dealer receiving only two cards, wherein when said dealer hand comprises three cards said final hand value of said dealer hand being equal to a total point value of said three cards of said dealer hand when said three cards have a point value total under 10 and when said three cards of said dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of said point total is ignored when determining said final hand value of said dealer hand; determining a hand value of each said at least one player hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of said at least one player hand is equal to a point total of said cards of said at least one player hand when said cards have a point value total under 10 and when said cards of said at least one player hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of said point total is ignored when determining a hand value of said at least one player hand; comparing said hand value of said dealer hand with said hand value of each said at least one player hand, wherein a hand value closest to 9 being a winning hand; unless at least one of said dealer hand and said at least one player hand comprising a jack and a queen and a king, wherein a player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit being a winning hand in comparison to a dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit, wherein a dealer hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit being a winning hand in comparison to a player hand not having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit, wherein a player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit being a winning hand in comparison to a dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king, wherein a dealer hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit being a winning hand in comparison to a player hand not having a jack and a queen and a king; collecting said at least one wager from each said at least one player when said dealer hand being a winning hand in comparison to said player hand of said at least one player; and paying each said at least one player an amount corresponding to a predetermined payoff structure when said player hand being a winning hand in comparison to said dealer hand.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of paying said at least one player an amount equal to said at least one wager when said player hand being a winning hand in comparison to said dealer hand.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of paying said at least one player 1.5 times said at least one wager when said at least one player having a player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said at least one player being paid 1.5 times said at least one wager only when both said player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit and said dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of paying said at least one player 3 times said at least one wager when said at least one player having a player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said at least one player being paid 3 times said at least one wager only when both said player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit and said dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of returning said at least one wager when said at least one player having a player hand having a hand value of one of 1 and 2 and said dealer hand having a hand value of one of 0 and
 1. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of collecting said at least one wager from said at least one wager when said at least one player having a player hand having a hand value of one of 1 and
 2. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of permitting said at least one player to place a second wager equal in amount to said first wager after receiving the two cards initially dealt to said at least one player and before receiving an additional card that said player hand will be a winning hand in comparison to said dealer hand.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: receiving a second wager from said at least one player to split said player hand comprising two cards of equal rank into a first player hand of one card and a second player hand of one card; dealing each said at least one player having two player hands of one card each at least one additional card face-up to each of said first player hand and said second player hand; dealing each said at least one player at least one additional card face-up to at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand when said at least one player requests said at least one additional card; and collecting at least one wager from each said at least one player when said dealer hand being a winning hand in comparison to at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand; and paying each said at least one player an amount corresponding to a predetermined payoff structure when at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand being a winning hand in comparison to said dealer hand.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of permitting said at least one player to place an additional wager equal in amount to said first wager after receiving a second card in at least one of said first hand and said second hand and before receiving an additional card that at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand will be a winning hand in comparison to said dealer hand.
 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of paying said at least one player an amount equal to at least one of a first wager and said second wager when at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand being a winning hand in comparison to said dealer hand.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of paying said at least one player 1.5 times at least one of a first wager and said second wager when at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said at least one player being paid 1.5 times at least one of said first wager and said second wager only when said dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king and at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of more than one suit.
 15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of paying said at least one player 3 times at least one of a first wager and said second wager when at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit.
 16. The method of claim 5 wherein said at least one player being paid 3 times at least one of said first wager and said second wager only when said dealer hand not having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit and at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand having a jack and a queen and a king of a same suit.
 17. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of returning at least one of a first wager and said second wager when at least one of said first player hand and said second player hand having a hand value of one of 0 and 1 and said dealer hand having a hand value of
 0. 18. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: providing a video gaming machine; and displaying said baccarat-type card game on said video gaming machine.
 19. A method for playing a baccarat-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of: receiving at least one wager from at least one player; dealing at least one player a player hand comprising two cards face-up; dealing a dealer a dealer hand comprising one card face-up and one card face-down; dealing each said at least one player at least one additional card face-up when said at least one player requests said at least one additional card; revealing said face-down card of said dealer; determining an initial hand value of said dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein said initial hand value of said dealer hand is equal to a total point value of said two cards of said dealer hand when said two cards have a point value total under 10 and when said two cards of said dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of said point total is ignored when determining said initial hand value of said dealer hand; dealing a third card to said dealer hand when said hand value of said two cards of said dealer hand being less than six; determining a final hand value of said dealer hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein said final hand value of said dealer hand being identical to said initial hand value of said dealer hand when said dealer receiving only two cards, wherein when said dealer hand comprises three cards said final hand value of said dealer hand being equal to a total point value of said three cards of said dealer hand when said three cards have a point value total under 10 and when said three cards of said dealer hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of said point total is ignored when determining said final hand value of said dealer hand; determining a hand value of each said at least one player hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and jacks and queens and kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of said at least one player hand is equal to a point total of said cards of said at least one player hand when said cards have a point value total under 10 and when said cards of said at least one player hand have a point total of more than 10 then the first digit of said point total is ignored when determining a hand value of said at least one player hand; comparing said hand value of said dealer hand with said hand value of each said at least one player hand, wherein a hand value closest to 9 being a winning hand; collecting said at least one wager from each said at least one player when said dealer hand being a winning hand in comparison to said player hand of said at least one player; and paying each said at least one player an amount corresponding to a predetermined payoff structure when said player hand being a winning hand in comparison to said dealer hand.
 20. A baccarat-type card game table comprising, in combination: a table having a dealer hand area dimensioned to receive at least one playing card; a plurality of individual betting locations located proximate an outer perimeter of said table; a plurality of player hand areas dimensioned to receive at least one player card and located proximate said plurality of individual betting locations; and a display area proximate said dealer hand area, said display area dimensioned to illustrate a payout schedule. 